the thoughts of a female 20 something

For what feels like years, I’ve been missing out on what used to be a huge phenomenon but has since become a social norm of today’s society. I would even go so far as saying this activity has the ability to potentially outcast you or help you assimilate into any environment.

I’m talking about Netflixing.

I’ve had Netflix for about six months now, and I finally understand what all the hype is about. I finally understand all the Netflix memes like this:

I let Netflix make my decisions for me now.

And this:

We all know this one all too well…

Andddd this:

According to a study by NPD Group, “75% of Millennials *who own connected TVs are using them to watch over-the-top content (Netflix, YouTube, etc).”

That’s not to say that all of our routines go like this: sleep, work/school, Netflix, repeat. But the shows we spend our time watching often define us, much like a culture.

As a millennial, I’m confident in saying that while we do converse over breaking news, politics, and technology, the shows we watch are a quick segue into a more enjoyable conversation that is likely to form a bond between millennials.

How many times have you been at the water cooler at work or waiting for your class to begin and the person next to you asks if you like “Game of Thrones” or “Breaking Bad”?

It’s interesting how TV shows can provide acceptance, form friendships, create bonds, much like music does. It brings people together, and that’s powerful.

Now, if only there was a three-day Netflix festival…much like a Woodstock.

I’ve never been a person who followed through or stuck anything out (as you can see from my sporadic blog posts). When I was five, my mom signed me up for gymnastics, but after frustrating my teachers with how inflexible I was, I quit. When I was eight, I joined a recreational soccer team, but after always being the girl kicking the ball in the wrong direction, I quit.

I never tried to improve through practice. When the going got tough, I got going.

But I had a good feeling about this summer. I wanted to find a new hobby and stick with it. If I failed at it, then at least I can say I tried my best.

I was at a friend’s BBQ when I saw an orange plastic hula hoop leaning against the fence. I had had a few drinks and decided to pick it up and play with it. I swung it around my waist and my arms, I skipped around with it, tossed it into the air a bit, danced with it, all while trying to hold conversations with people. That hoop and I were inseparable the rest of the night.

I guess it was obvious to my friend that I had taken a liking to her hoop, so she let me have it.

The next day, I was busy looking up videos of hoop dancing, learning about the different ways to dance with a hoop, the different types of hoops. I was completely fascinated.

I ended up buying a ‘legit’ hoop.

Yes, there are different types of hoops! Check out what I mean here, here, and here.

I’m proud to say that I have been practicing semi-regularly throughout the summer and have gotten better!

Hooping is a lot of fun. Here are some cool reasons why you should give hoop dancing a try:

Cardio

Any type of movement will get your heart rate up, but finding something that makes it enjoyable is key. Hoop dancing targets your abs and even your arms by lifting and moving the hoop up, down, or off your body.

Confidence

Self-esteem comes from feeling good about yourself. Learning a new skill is a great way to give yourself a thumbs-up. When you master one move, you feel proud and more confident about learning the next move, and so on. Plus, anything involving moving the waist makes you feel sexy which could lead to confidence ;).

Socialization

Like with many niche hobbies, there will always be a group of people out there with the same interests. Hooping has a huge following, and depending on your location and the time of year, you may find yourself much closer to a troop of hoopers than you think. Summertime is prime time for music festivals where you’re likely to see some hoopers showing off their skills to the beat of the live music. With enough practice, you could be grabbing your hoop and joining them.

Fun at Parties

Every party needs a hula hoop. A boring event could easily be transformed with a hoop. Throw on some music, get your hoop, and get ready to see jaws drop when you show your friends what you have been practicing. Even if you aren’t where you want to be just yet in terms of skill level, your friends will definitely be impressed.

Everyone has a song that once heard, transports them back to a memory of an event, a holiday, an ex, a vacation, a party, a really great or a really not-so-great time in your life.

Each summer holds a lot of musical memories for me. For example, I can’t listen to The Subways without thinking about the summer of 2006, and I can’t listen to “Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Ray without thinking of the summer of 2013.

With the summer or 2015 coming to an end, I reflect back and think what a great summer it was.

I went to Hawaii with my best friends from college, I celebrated a work anniversary, I spent quality time with friends, I picked up a new hobby (hoop dancing), I went to Las Vegas to visit family.

Pillbox. Hawaii 2015.

As reluctant as I am to say bye to a fun summer, I’m looking forward to the fall.

Two pairs of socks on. Leggings under slacks. Multiple shirts layers on top of each other, covered by a thick coat, scarf, and hat.

This is a New Jersey winter.

At least for those of us that want to stay warm.

When I was younger, I cared more about looking ‘cool’ than feeling warm. I would walk to the school bus stop on fridged January mornings with a light jacket, no gloves, no hat, no scarf, and wait for the bus.

I was freezing my ass, but at least I looked effortlessly cool. Because when you look cool, you don’t really feel the biting wind and chilling temperatures of a New Jersey winter, right?

Right! You don’t feel it because your body has gone numb.

Winter fashion has got to be a myth because there is no way women can get away with wearing this gorgeous outfits without freezing to death.

You’re trying to keep warm with ripped jeans and exposed feet?! Not in these parts!

Okay, at least this one’s got gloves and boots, but the wind is totally gonna blow that sweater off you!

I like to save my wine corks for a rainy day DIY project,and this might be it! Plants really brighten up a room, and I love the idea of sticking my corks onto the fridge for all to see, inside of squeezing them into the mason jar I keep them in now.

Ever since I was in high school, I’ve been a chapstick addict. If my lips aren’t lathered in that stuff, I just don’t feel normal. This DIY chapstick project is exactly what need to make sure I have AT LEAST 10 chapsticks on my person at all times.

Next to chapstick, mugs are my obsession, so I would never want to mess one up. But seeing as all you need for this project is a white ceramic mug, old container, and nail polish, I don’t see myself failing too hard!

Rustic looks have always caught my eye; I just never understood why people would spend so much money on rustic-looking signs when they looked so easy to make. This project is provides easy-to-follow steps, which is good for a DIY beginner like me.

In elementary school, we were told that everyone has a talent–whether it’s in sports, music, or art.

I never agreed, though, because I was never good at anything. I suck at sports, I can’t play an instrument, and I draw as well a first grader.

But I think I might have discovered a new backwards talent: I am good at sucking a food shopping. No, not because I want to buy everything or I don’t know when to stop taking free samples.

I suck at food shopping because grocery stores scare me.

Let’s put it this way, I’d rather do all of my major food shopping in a 711 than step into a grocery store. Food shopping is something I need to think very long and hard about and then mentally prepare myself for. Everything about it–from the beginning to the end–makes me nervous.

You’ll probably laugh at me, but I have only recently tried sweet potato for the first time.

Now that I have, I can’t picture my life without it!

I want it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert! Luckily, I found some pretty awesome recipes that let me embrace my obsession.

I’m not ready for winter–luckily, these sweet potato waffles that call for pumpkin pie spice taste just like fall.

I don’t wake up early for just any breakfast, but I’d happily wake up for these beauties! Get the recipe.

Sweet meets spicy with these sweet potato enchiladas. With all of the ingredients for a kick-ass Mexican meal, your taste buds will be in for a fiesta! Check out the recipe.

They don’t call them sweet potatoes for nothing! Sweet potatoes are such a versatile food, making delicious desserts. Shake up the sweetness of these muffins by drizzling some glaze on top. Here’s the recipe!